Pakistan

First Test: Younis hammers double hundred as Pak post target of 342

Younis and Rahat Ali walk off unbeaten at 200 and 35 respectively.

Afp September 06, 2013

pakistan 039 s batsman younis khan r is congratulated by pakistan 039 s batsman adnan akmal l before walking from the pitch at tea break during the fourth day of the first cricket test match between pakistan and hosts zimbabwe at the harare sports club september 6 2013 photo afp

Pakistan's batsman Younis Khan (R) is congratulated by Pakistan's batsman Adnan Akmal (L) before walking from the pitch at tea break during the fourth day of the first cricket test match between Pakistan and hosts Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club September 6, 2013. PHOTO: AFP

HARARE: Younis Khan led the way to a supreme comeback by Pakistan against Zimbabwe by scoring a double century as Pakistan declared their innings at 419 for nine on the penultimate day of the first Test in Harare.

At stumps on the fourth day, Zimbabwe had already lost opener Mawoyo to an lbw off Ajmal for a score of 13, needing another 329 runs to win on the last day of the Test tomorrow.

Pakistan began the day at the shaky position of 168 for four, with a lead of 90 runs. With Younis and Shafiq the last specialised batsman at the crease, the team needed to play out most of the day and accumulate a lead large enough to ensure a challenging target for Zimbabwe's final innings.

Whereas Asad Shafiq got bowled off Tendai Chatara in the first over without adding to the score, the following partnership between Adnan Akmal and Younis Khan added 118 crucial runs to the board and took Pakistan to safety.

Younis survived a chance at 83 when he had edged off medium-pacer Hamilton Maskadza low to slip, where Tina Mawoyo was slow to react.

Akmal mixed some streaky shots with some fine attacking stroke play, before getting run out at 64.

Surprisingly, Pakistan's eleventh batsman, Rahat Ali, also belted out quite a few impressive hits to make his way to 35 with three fours and as many sixes.

As the lead piled up and the day's play approached its final phase, Misbah beckoned a declaration to have a go at the Zimbabwe batsman with Younis Khan still at 194.

Younis reached his double hundred in style though, with a huge six towards midwicket, and walked off all smiles knowing he had made a magnificent comeback to his national team after six months. Khan's innings included 15 fours and three sixes.

Zimbabwe, who had enjoyed a 78-run lead after their first innings, now stared at a lofty target of 342 and a tricky final day with the likes of Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan to see their way through.